BACKWARD GLANCES - Doctor teaches class in computer warfare — in 1963

See what was happening in Redwood Falls 50, 25, and 10 years ago this week.

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By Joshua Dixon, Staff Writer

Redwood Falls Gazette

By Joshua Dixon, Staff Writer

Posted Jan. 31, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Joshua Dixon, Staff Writer

Posted Jan. 31, 2013 at 12:01 AM

1963—50 years ago

• Five baby girls were born at the Redwood Falls hospital in five days, and three of the five were given the middle name Jo.

• The couple who took a 1961 Oldsmobile for a test drive from the Scott Preusse used car lot on Jan. 9 — and never returned — were captured in a suburb of Salt Lake City and charged with transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines.

• Dr. S.F. Ceplecha of Redwood Falls lectured Morgan High School students about cybernetics and the future of cybernetic warfare.

• When Smith’s Firestone store held a “guess the weight of the pig” contest, RFHS junior David Kahnke guessed 127 pounds. The correct weight: 126.9 lbs.

No one contested the results.

• The public library lent out a record number of items in 1962: 45,006 books or magazines. Six hundred books were added to the stacks during that year, and the library subscribed to 95 magazines.

1988—25 years ago

• After one officer clocked a snowmobile going 50 mph within city limits (the snowmobile speed limit was 15 mph), the police department assigned an officer to patrol the town on a snowmobile.

• The police department warned the city streets department crew that they also had to obey traffic laws when cleaning up the city streets.

City crews were used to being able to zip through stop signs and drive faster than the speed limit without any penalty.

• A four-year old boy suffered a broken collarbone when he was pinned between a parked vehicle and a 1984 Oldsmobile.

• Cardinal wrestler Joel Kretsch got his 121st win, putting him in a tie with Harlan Leopold for the Redwood Falls-Morton High School career win record.

• The new ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod opened in temporary headquarters in Jefferson Mall downtown.

2003—10 years ago

• Since bike riding on slippery roads isn’t a good idea, Maynard Swoboda of North Redwood invented his own “recumbent tricycle” to pedal the eight miles to work on.

Total cost for Swoboda’s machine: $70. Cost of a professional touring model from a catalog: $4,750.

• Every fourth grader at Reede Gray Elementary School made a valentine as part of Operation Heart to Heart, remembering the families of service members serving overseas as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

• In recognition of his 40 years in the business, Terry Marguth was inducted into the Minnesota State Auctioneer’s Association Hall of Fame.